Secrets of the Sky – Pathway (2015)

Instantly showing that their debut “To Sail Black Waters” was no fluke, Bay Area’s outfit Secrets of the Sky delivers an even more mature and expertly crafted sophomore release with “Pathway”. Finding their home in Metal Blade Records, the band fully explores their musical capabilities with the 13 tracks presented in this very unique and different sounding release.

Opening with the relaxing sound of waves on the ‘instrumental’ “I”, this swiftly transforms into the band first real onslaught titled “Three Swords”. Expertly manipulating the atmosphere of their music, this opener sets a very mellow mood that fully explodes as the band rips through some thunderous Doom riffs between peaceful interludes. Placing nice tempo-shifting interludes between the tracks, Secrets of the Sky perfectly manipulates and guides the listener’s experience.

Featuring some punishing My Dying Bride-esque riffs, “Angel in Vines” is one of the best tracks in this release thanks to its Death/Doom heavy content. Having a certain vibe similar to Finnish outfits like Swallow the Sun and Rapture, this is one hell of a song that shows the vocal capabilities of Garett Gazay going from Black Metal shrieks, heavy growls, and moody clean vocals.

As “Garden of Prayers” hits, we are again treated to some more monumental heavy riffing courtesy of Clayton Bartholomew and Andrew Green, both of whom do an excellent job in crafting the perfect riffs to deliver heavy sounding tracks. Not fearing experimentation, the band gets a bit faster and more aggressive with “Fosforos”, where things sound more on the Black Metal side of things.

Closing this release with “Eternal Wolves”, we are once more let into the sinister world of Secrets of the Sky and their very tight sound. The band delivers a very interesting and refreshing mixture of Death/Doom Metal with some Black Metal and atmospheric elements that really sets them apart from the rest. In “Pathway” they have nicely refined their sound and will surely get their name out there with such a quality release, so be sure to keep an eye out for them and their live onslaughts.

Label: Metal Blade Records

Release: May 19th, 2015

Genre: Black/Death Doom Metal

Country: USA